Chain cutter for mining machines



Sept. 25, 1923. 1,468,914

E. c. MORGAN CHAIN CUTTER won MINING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 29 Set. 25

E. c. MORGAN- CHAIN CUTTER FOR MINING MACHINES- Filegi March 25. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 avwewfoz Edmund CJlfbz'yan EDMUND C. MORGAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.; OLIVE EUGENE MORGAN, EXECU'FRIX OF SAID EDEUND C. MORGAN, DECEASED.

i i CUTTER, FOR MINING MACHINES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND C. MORGAN, a citizen of the United States, residin at New York city, in the county of New ork and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Chain Cutters for Mining Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in chain cutters intended for use in mining machines particularly adapted for cutting coal and other materials in=a mine, and one of the objects of my invention is the provision, of a chain cutter of an improved type in which the cutting elements can be quickly removed when they have become dull and sharpened ones quickly inserted in their places.

A further object of the inventionis the provision of a chain cutter provided with cutting tools composed of straight bars of steel which may be sharpened and resharpened without heating and forging.

A further object is'the provision of improved chain cutter mechanism in which the cutting elements may be sharpened several times without removal from their sockets and adjusted into position before or after each sharpening so as to maintain a predetermined path of cutting travel. A further object of the invention is the provision of a chain cutter in which the cutter supporting links form supports for one another during the cutting operation.

Another object is the provision of means in a chain cutter to reduce the tendency of the cutters to gouge into the coal.

Another object of the invention 15 the provision of a chain cutter in which the bit sockets are so constructed as to reduce their weight. v

Another object of the invention is the provisionof a chain cutter in which the tool carrying links are each provided with holders adapted to receive tool sockets held in place by friction and resistance during cutting, such tool carrying links being successively extended in angular relation to enable the chain cutter to cut a kerf having, a width to provide for free feeding movement of the chain carrying the feeding operation.

Other objects of the invention will a pear hereinafter, the novel features and com inations being set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying'drawinge Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of the cuttlng chain including one of the bit socketsshown partly broken away and in cross section taken centrally and longitudinally relative to the chain;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the chain and an end elevation of the tool, holder;

Fig. 3 Is an end elevation showing the spreading of the tool holders to'cut a kerf Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the bit holder shown in Fig.6, the view being taken in a direction in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a detail of Fig. 6; I

Fig. 10 is an enlarged diagrammatic plan device shown in Fig. 11 illustrates another modification of the mechanism for holding the cutter in adjusted position;

view illustratingFthe construction of the Fig. 12 isa view of Fig. 11 looking downv thereon in the direction of element;

Fig. 13 shows a modification of the-connection between the tool holder and'the tool holding link; Fig. ,14 is a sectional 1414 of Fig.13';

, the cutting Fig. 15 is a cross sectionalview of a modification of Fig. 6 on the line 15-15 of Fig. Fig. 16is a sectional elevationa l view of Fig. 15.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

opposite to the arrows sho plan view on the line i Referring to Fig. 1, 17 indicates the cutter-supporting link of the chain. A number of these links are connected together by means of the side links 18, 18 as-shown in Fig. 2. The ends of the links 18, 18 are pro.-

videdwith bosses 19, 19 which fit into holes in the ends of the cutter carrying links 17.

The side links 18, 18 are connected together by means of suitable pivot pins 20. These side links are also adapted to fit into guides of well known construction as indicated in dotted lines 21 in Fig. 2. For this purpose laterally projecting and longitudinally extending fianges- 22 may beprovided on the links 18 to fit into the grooves of the guideways. However, the side links may be varied 2.5 desired or other forms substituted there- Projecting upwardly from the cutter carrying" link 17 is'a T-shaped head 23. This T-shaped head is made tapering-in the direction in which the chain travels during cutting. The T-head 23 is preferably made integral with the link 17.

The upper part of each cutter carrying link is made in the form of a rib 24 extending forwardly and rearwardly of the intermediate link pivotal connection. The cutter carrying links are therefore overlapping by reason of such rib so that each of the latter rests on the forward end of the next adjacent cutter carrying link as shown in Fig. 1.

Each cutter carrying link 17 of the chain is adapted to carry a bit socket 25 which has a dove-tailed opening in the lower portion thereof to fit .the T-head 23 which projects from the link 17. The dove-tailed opening is clearly indicated at 26 in Fig. 4 and is tapered to correspond'with the taper of the T-head. By means of this taper connection the bit sockets can be quickly slipped on the chain by movement from the right to the left as viewed in Fig. 1 and the pressure caused by the cutting action during the travel of j the chain cutter will keep the bit socket tightly in place on the bit socket carrying llIlkS.' When it is desired to release any socket a wedge-shapedf tool may be inserted in the opening 27 through the rib 24 back of the bit socket, and this toolstruck with a hammer to loosen the bit socket so that it may be readily removed. While such bit sockets may also be removed by striking sharp hammer -blows onthe curved back to loosen th'em from their tapered seats I prefer to use the wedge-shapedtool referredto, to secure more, direct action longitudinally. of such seats.

Furthermore, I prefer that each cutter-' v carrying link shall be adapted to carry asingle bitsocket and that each bit socket shall carry a single bit 28, but that the ribs 24 of the T-he ads 23 shall be inclined in various directions as shown at 24' in Fig. 3.

In this manner of arrangement of the bit sockets the chain cutter is enabled to cut a 'kerfin the coal of a suflicient width to provide ample clearance for feeding movements of the chain and the guiding mechanism therefon; Y

the upper surface as viewed in Fig. 1, the

dotted lines 29 indicating the various cutting edges after being ground away. The dot and dash are 30 in Fig. 1 indicates the position of the grinding tool which may be used to sharpen the bit in the bit socket 25. When in place the bits are at such an angle with respect to the path of travel of the chain that the cutting. edges of the bits will not gouge into the coal but will effect the desired cutting unless particularly hard material is encountered when the tendency of the cutter will be to recede from the coal instead of gouging into it.

The bits 28 are adjustably secured in the sockets 25 by means of clamping screws such as that shown in 31 in Fig.1. The adjustment of the bit 28- to various positions for sharpening along the lines indicated by 29 and 30, is secured by the adjusting screw 32 which is screw-threaded into the screw threaded opening 33. The adjusting screw 32 is provided with a squared socket- 34 to receive a tool to turn the same in the screw-threaded opening 33. The adjusting screw 32, after the clamp 31 is released, may thus be used to move the bit 28 to various adjusted positions and then the screw 31 again turned in the proper direction to securely E's-lamp the bit 28 in adjusted position. It should also be noted that the adjusting screw 32 is in position to receive the end-wise thrust on the bit 28. By means of this arrangement a long shank bit may initially be used, and continued to be used after being sharpened a great many times and always readjusted to have the cutting path of travel continually at substantially the same distance from the path of travel of the chain. 4

,It should be particularly noted that by reducing the thickness of the cutting element-.28 there is a consequent reduction in the amount of material which must be ground off at each sharpening over what would be necessary if the cutting element were square in cross section. Furthermore, by providing a comparatively thin cutting element the weight of the bit socket may be reduced over what itwould have to be if the bit were-square in cross section. These advantages may be secured by. making the bits of steel and placing them in the sockets mounted on the central links-of the cutting means of powerful set screws.

The pointof the bit extends only a short chain and secured in adjusted position by relied upon to form the supporting base for the cutting edge, whereas the bit socket in my structure, as herein disclosed, forms the supporting base for the cutting edge and permits the use of a comparatively thin cutting tool.

Furthermore, it is desirable in practice to be able to sharpen the bits by grinding alone First, because of the great saving of labor in heating, drawing-out and temper-- ing the bit each time it is sharpened as has heretofore been the practice: second, bits can be sharpened many times, and worn down as far as permissible without removal from the sockets: third, a given length of bit can be sharpened many more times than by heating and drawing: fourth, unskilled labor can be employed to sharpen many more bits in a shift than skilled labor can by heating, drawing and tempering for each sharpening: fifth, in hard. cuttings where bits have to be changed frequently a much smaller number of bits need be in commission at any one time: sixth, the setting and grinding of the bit may be carried out at the machine and therefore only a few sets of bits need be in commission at any one time: seventh, owing to the decreased weight of comparatively thin bits, the latter will last much longer and it would be economical to use the best obtainable steel in the manu-v facture of such bits. curve line 30 in Fig. 1 indicates the periphery of the position of the grinding Wheel when in operation. In alike manner the dot-and-dash curve line 30 in Fig. 6 indicates the position of the grinding wheel. Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate a modification in that the bit-holding socket 25 is, pro vided with a recess adjacent. the bit 28 to receive a clamping member 35 which is provided with a groove for receiving the bit 28. In this arrangement there is a greater area of frictional contact between the bit 28 and the clamp 35, the screw 31 being then relied upon to merely force the clamping element 35 against the bit 28 to hold it a ainst its seat. Flgs. 7 to 10, inclusive, illustrate the details of the cylindrical clamping member 35' shown in Fig. 6. At the upper end of the screw-threaded recess 33 is a cylindrical recess of approximately the same diameter and adapted to receive the clamp-ing member 35' shown in detail in Fig. '9. This clamping member 35' is, provided with a transverse semi-cylindrical recess 36. When the clamp 35 is in place, as shown in Fig.'

6, the recess 36 registers with a correspond ing recess 37 in the bit socket holder 25", so that when the transverse pin 38 is insorted it may fit in .the recesses 36 and 37 to lock the clamp 35' against turning as well as from removal longitudinally from the bit socket 25". It can readily be seen The dot-and-dash by referring to Fig. 6 that when the set screw 31 is released, a squared tool may be inserted in the recess 34 to turn the nut 32 and thus move the bit 28 longitudinally through the clamp 35 while the latter is being held stationary relative to the bit socket 25 by means'of the pin 38.

By referring to Fig. 9 it will be seen that the clamping member 35' is provided with a longitudinal slot 39 leaving the part 40 integral with the clamping jaws. Fig. 10 illustrates diagrammatically the manner' in which longitudinal holes may be drilled at 41 and 42 and then the slot 39 completed so as toform the clamping jaws extending from the comparatively thin portion 40. the set screw 31 is tightened against the clamp 35 the bit 28 will be securely held in adjusted position.

In Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the bit socket is such that it is provided with tapered jaws which are adaptedto fit tapered T-head projections from the cutter carrying links of the chain. Figs. 13 and 14 show a reversal of this arrangement in that the removable bit sockets are provided with tapered T-head projections which are adapted to fit into tapered jaws formed on the cutter carrying links. This arrangement, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, will. very materially reduce the weight of the removable bit sockets and is therefore preferable to the form of bit socket shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, as it is very desirable to have the bit sockets light as compared with the cutter carrying links.

In Fig. 2 the tapered jaws 43 and 44 fit on the tapered T-head 23 but in Fig. 13' the bit socket 25 is provided with-a tapered T-head 45 which .is adapted to fitinto the tapered jaws 46 and 47. Fig. 14 is a plan sectional view on the line 1414 of Fig. 13 and shows the shank 48 in section and the upper lateral 1 surfaces of the T-head 45 in plan; Fig. 14

therefore illustrates clearly the tapered recess extending along the-jaws 46 and 47.

Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate a modification of the clamping mechanism illustrated in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive. In the latter views the clamping member 35 is made in one piece, but in Figs. 15 and 16 the clamping jawsare formed of separate pieces 49 and 50 which are held in place in the bit socket 25" by means of the rivets 51 and 52. When the clamping jaw members 49 and 50 are in .the position shown in Figs. 15 and 16 with the bit 28 located between said jaws, the lat- -ter are spaced-apart at both of the lateral edges of the bit 28. Therefore, when the set screw 31 is tightened, the jaws 49 and 50 can be relied upon tov firmly clamp the cutting element 28 in adjusted position.

Having thus fully disclosed my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A chain cutter for coal mining machines comprising a bit holder with a bit socket therein and inclined forwardly from the path of travel of the chain to the cutting path of travel, a steel bit of comparatively small thickness adapted to fit in said socket, and means comprising an adjustable abutment for adjustably holding said bit in said socket to permit sharpening thereof a large number of times without varying the cutting path of travel relative to the path of travel of the chain.

2. A chain cutter for coal mining machines comprising a bit holder with a bit socket therein, a flat bit rectangular in cross section adapted to be carried in said bit socket, and means comprising a single adjust able abutment for adjustably holding said bit in said socket for a path of cutting travel at a predetermined distance from the path of travel of the chain.

3. A chain cutter for coal mining machines comprising a bit holder with a bit socket therein inclined forwardly from the path of travel of the chain to the cutting path of travel, a flat bit rectangular in cross section and adapted to be carried in said bit socket, an adjustable abutment in position to engage the inner end of said bit to adjust the distance that the cutting edge of the bit projects from said bit holder, and means for engaging the bit intermediate its ends to hold it against its seat in adjusted position.

4. A chain cutter for coal mining machines comprising a bit holder having a socket therein, a bit adapted to be carried in said socket, an adjustable abutment for engaging the inner end of said bit to adjust the extended projection of the cutting edge from said bit holder, a set screw at the outer end portion of said bit holder, and a clamping member between the bit and said set screw for holding the bit against its seat in said bit holder upon the tightening of said set screw.

5. A chain cutter comprising a bit holder, a separate clamp having a bit socket extending therethrough, means for holding said clamp in place in said bit holder, a bit adapted to extend through the socket in said clamp, and means for operating said clamp to hold said bit in adjusted position.

6. A chain cutter comprising a bit holder having a cylindrical recess, a cylindricallv shaped clamp having a slot extending longitudinally therethrough, means for riveting said clamp to said bit holder to prevent removal of said clamp from said bit holder, a;bit adapted to extend through said slot, and a set screw in said bit holder in position to engage said clamp to hold said bit in adjusted position.

7. A chain cutter for coal mining machines comprising a plurality of cuttercarrying links with T-head projections exmaae a tending in various directions successively in angular relation, a plurality of bit holders carried by said cutter-carrying links successively in angular relation, cutting tools, onecomprising a cutter-carrying link, and a detachable bit holder carried by said cuttercarrying link in front of a slot in said link in positlon to be engaged by a releasing tool inserted in said slot.

'9. A chain cutter for mining machines A comprising a bit holder, a clamp comprising two semi-cylindrical parts with a slot between them, spaced-apart rivets in said bit holder for preventing the removal of said clamp, a bit adapted to extend through said slot, and means for operating said clamp to hold said bit in adjusted position.

10. A chain cutter for mining machines comprising a cutter carrying link, and a detachable bit holder on said link in position to be engaged by the releasing tool inserted in a slot in said link between the chain and the cuttin ath of travel.

11. A 0 am cutter for coal mining machines having a tapered seat and a slot between said seat and the path of the chain, and a detachable bit holder fitting on said seat in position for engagement by a releasing tool inserted in said slot.

12. A chain cutter for mining machines comprising a cutter link, a seat thereon, a bit holder, means for adjustably securing said bit to said holder when the latter is detached from said link, and means on said bit holder for wedging the latter onto said seat independently of said securing means and permitting manual release of said bit holder without releasing said securing means.

13. A chain cutter comprising a bit holder having a bit receiving socket with a portion thereof screw-threaded, and a nut threaded into said screw-threaded portion in position to provide a support for the bit.

14. In a chain cutter for mining machines, the combination with a bit holder with a socket having an opening adapted throughout its length to receive a square-cornered bit shank, a single device movable along said opening to form a rigid end support for the inside end of said bit shank in various adjusted positions, and means for locking said bit shank in said various positions.

15. A chain cutter comprising a bit holder having a bit socket therein, and a screw made hollow by a recess irregular in crosssection to receive a turning tool to move said screw against the bit in said socket to adjust the position of said bit.

16. A chain cutter comprising a bit holder having a bit socket therein, and a screwthreaded abutment in inner end of the bit an and support. for said bit.

5 h a bit socket therein,

position to engage the in said socket to formhavin 1;. A chain cutter comprising a bit holder 8.

and a screw threaded nut in position to engage the inner end of the bit in said socket, said nut havinga. recesstoreeeive a turni just the position of said nut.

ng tool to ad- 18. A chain cutter comprising a bit holder 10 ga bit socket adapted to receive a bit, an ad1ustable abutment for the inner end of the bit shank, and a set screw for securing the bit in adjusted position in said socket.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 15 name to this specification on this 20th day of March, A. D. 1920.

'C. MORGAN. 

